Helena, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Helena, Alabama had a total population of 21,769, the 31st largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $115,139, which is 80% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 80% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Alabama.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in Alabama.
- 51.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Helena Quick Facts
How Helena Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,463 | 21,769 | +17.9% |
| Median household income | $108,033 | $115,139 | No clear change (+6.6%) |
| Median home value¹ | $240,111 | $330,700 | +37.7% |
| Median gross rent | $1,650 | $1,574 | No clear change (-4.6%) |
How Helena Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 70.0%
- Black: 18.0%
- Hispanic: 4.7%
- Asian: 2.5%
- Other: 1.1%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 2.5%
- HS Diploma: 17.6%
- Some College: 20.0%
- Associate's: 8.5%
- Bachelor's: 34.5%
- Graduate+: 16.9%
Helena Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 198,173 | $46,051 | 24.7% | $158,800 |
| Hoover | 92,642 | $109,253 | 5.1% | $412,200 |
| Vestavia Hills | 38,616 | $134,369 | 10.0% | $530,000 |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | 8.9% | $558,500 |
| Trussville | 26,673 | $123,275 | 1.1% | $370,300 |
| Bessemer | 25,400 | $39,613 | 28.0% | $135,900 |
| Mountain Brook | 22,029 | $201,479 | 3.2% | $916,300 |
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | 4.3% | $252,600 |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | 16.2% | $155,300 |
| Center Point | 15,914 | $56,417 | 14.3% | $151,700 |
Cities Similar to Helena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelham | 24,827 | $101,094 | $299,800 | 47.2% | 6.7% |
| Fairhope | 24,190 | $94,274 | $430,900 | 53.5% | 8.2% |
| Oxford | 22,063 | $74,268 | $170,900 | 24.8% | 15.8% |
| Trussville | 26,673 | $123,275 | $370,300 | 45.6% | 1.1% |
| Mountain Brook | 22,029 | $201,479 | $916,300 | 88.6% | 3.2% |
Population Overview
Helena is a small city located in Alabama, within Jefferson County. The total population is 21,769. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Helena is 37.8 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Helena is $115,139. This is 80% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 43% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.2%. This is 79% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $330,700. Housing costs are 58% higher than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Helena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Helena is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.5% vs 1.4%).
Education
51.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Helena in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.5%. Notably, 16.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Helena, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Helena, Alabama?
Helena, Alabama has a population of 21,769 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Helena, AL?
The median household income in Helena is $115,139, which is 43% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Helena, AL?
The poverty rate in Helena is 3.2%. This means approximately 696 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Helena, Alabama?
Helena's population is 70.0% White, 18.0% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Helena, AL?
The median home value in Helena is $330,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Helena, Alabama?
51.4% of adults (25+) in Helena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.